as in watch
the state of being constantly attentive and responsive to signs of opportunity, activity, or danger
the paparazzi were on red alert for sightings of the hot new Hollywood couple
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of red alert
On Saturday, the South and Grand’Anse regions of Haiti were both upgraded to red alerts by the National Disaster Risk Management System.
—
David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
The art community is on red alert.
—Lionel Laurent, Twin Cities, 24 Oct. 2025
The Sooners’ struggles of the past three years were a red alert that something had to change both on and off the field if this blue blood was going to stay one.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
France issued a red alert on July 1 and warned of potentially severe health impacts as temperatures across the country climbed to between 100 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the country’s meteorological service.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for red alert
David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
The art community is on red alert.
—Lionel Laurent, Twin Cities, 24 Oct. 2025
The Sooners’ struggles of the past three years were a red alert that something had to change both on and off the field if this blue blood was going to stay one.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
France issued a red alert on July 1 and warned of potentially severe health impacts as temperatures across the country climbed to between 100 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the country’s meteorological service.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for red alert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for red alert
Noun
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The note also had details about a floodlight at Guthrie's home and an Apple watch.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
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Community members have organized visible school watches to ensure families are not isolated or caught alone in moments of fear.—
Marilyn Carlson Nelson,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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A lot of this involves watchfulness—noticing what the preferring mind (that is, the editing mind) as put in place, and accepting it, and building upon it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
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This patience is watchfulness, not idleness.—
Francois Botha,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In an emergency alert which went out to residents’ phones, authorities described the suspect as a brown-haired woman wearing a dress, according to CNN affiliate CBC News.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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Although there is a dangerous high risk of rip currents along the Atlantic beaches, there are no alerts or advisories for boaters along the Atlantic waters or Keys waters.—
Lissette Gonzalez,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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For example, start your day with coffee for maximum alertness, then switch to chai in the afternoon.—
Brandi Jones,
Health,
6 Feb. 2026
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However, first-generation antihistamines can also cause drowsiness, sedation, and fatigue, which can affect alertness, concentration, and memory.—
Karen Berger,
Verywell Health,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The work demanded mobility and vigilance.—
Natalia Sánchez Loayza,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
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In some cases, extra vigilance means that faculty have backed away from initial commitments.—
Jonathan Wosen,
STAT,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Red alert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/red%20alert. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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